Pop star Olly Murs will be in the Coggeshall side facing a Town XI expected to feature some fringe players in a pre-season friendly at the Essex side’s West Street ground on Friday 22nd July (KO 7.30pm).
Murs,, the runner-up in X Factor in 2009, spent time with Coggeshall last season as he prepared for the recent Soccer Aid game at Old Trafford. Previously he was a semi-professional with hometown club Witham Town.
"Olly is nephew to my assistant manager, John Pollard, and has been a family friend of mine for many years,” Graeme Smith, Coggeshall’s owner and manager, explained to the club website.
"He has loved every minute of his time with us and has now started to get involved with the club off the pitch as well.
"Olly really believes in what we are trying to do here and wants to play his part. The club was struggling for 20 years or so but over the last two years we have made great progress.
"We’re an ambitious club. We have won back to back promotions, now play in the Eastern Counties League First Division and our aim is to get into the Ryman League as soon as possible.
"We have played Ipswich twice in the last three years and I know Olly and the rest of the lads are looking forward to the game coming up. It will be the highlight of our pre-season and I’m sure it will be a great night.”
In addition to his role with Coggeshall, Smith’s company Chelmsford Plastic Warehouse sponsor Town’s U13s.
"Graeme is a big supporter of our academy here and has sponsored age groups for five years,” the Blues director of academy sponsorship, Simon Milton added.
"Graeme has got Coggeshall going forward as a club and I’m sure they will give our young players a good game.
"With Olly playing, there will be that X Factor - sorry I couldn’t resist that - and I’ve also invited Terry Butcher, Alan Brazil and a number of other ex-players to come along on the night.”
Tickets for the game are available on the gate on the night of the match.